2023 Strategic Program Speakers

Known for his devotion and gentle inner strength, Chief Roy Albert Whitney is the hard-working leader of the Tsuu T’ina Nation, located just outside of Calgary. He first learned about hard work when he started helping out on the family’s cattle ranch at the age of five. He was elected band councilor in 1976 at the age of 21 and then Chief at 30, a position he still holds today. Over the last twenty-five years, Chief Whitney has initiated or guided a number of successful community-based business enterprises. One of his first projects was the creation of the Tsuu T’ina Cultural Museum. More recently, his projects have been commercial. The Wolf Flats Ordnance Disposal Corporation is an internationally recognized company specializing in the removal and disposal of unexploded ordnance. Sarcee Gravel Products Inc. employs numerous community residents. The Redwood Meadows Golf and Country Club and the Buffalo Run Golf Club, which opened its first nine holes in 1997, are the most recent projects. Chief Whitney also raised the money to build the Chief Joseph Big Plume Building, a stunning structure that serves as the band’s administration office, as well as the Tsuu T’ina Nation Business Park. In addition to his community duties, Chief Whitney negotiated with the provincial and federal governments to develop a First Nations justice system, the first one in Canada. He has also served as the Chairman of the Treaty 7 Tribal Council. Nationally, Chief Whitney chairs the federal government’s National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, which guides Aboriginal Business Canada and its partners in implementing strategies for Aboriginal business growth.